On February 14, Ukraine’s special operations unit “Group 13” employed Magura V5 sea drones to attack the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov, resulting in the vessel’s sinking near Alupka, Crimea. The operation comes as Ukraine continues to assert its maritime capabilities against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. 

The Caesar Kunikov is reported to have sustained significant damage on its left side from the drone strike, leading to its sinking. This marks another instance of Ukraine’s use of unmanned technology in maritime operations, following the previous sinking of the Russian corvette Ivanovets.

The attack on the Caesar Kunikov aligns with Ukraine’s strategic efforts to challenge Russian naval dominance in the Black Sea, particularly ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s adoption of naval drones, such as the Magura V5, underscores the evolving tactics in the conflict, focusing on unmanned systems to offset traditional military disparities.

Ukraine sinks another Russian warship

On February 14, 2024, Ukraine’s intelligence services and security forces destroyed the Russian landing ship “Caesar Kunikov” of the Black Sea Fleet 1/ pic.twitter.com/DqPbovET7I

— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) February 14, 2024

The Russian defense ministry has not provided comments on the sinking but reported downing several Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea. The incident is part of a series of engagements that have seen Ukraine targeting Russian naval assets, aiming to diminish the operational capabilities of Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

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